Republican candidate for Attorney General Russell Coleman has managed to stack more than half a million dollars for this year’s statewide race.
The former United States Attorney’s campaign announced Coleman raised $611,145 since launching his campaign in May with $520,191 cash on hand. The campaign has raised more than any other Republican Attorney General candidate before the filing deadline in Kentucky history, according to data available from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
Coleman has enjoyed near universal support from Republicans, with U.S. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell backing his campaign.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have earned Kentuckians’ trust, from the grassroots Republicans to conservative leaders, as we run this campaign to protect families, support our law enforcement and uphold our conservative values,” said Coleman, Republican candidate for Attorney General. “Violent criminals and deadly drugs are invading our neighborhoods, and it’s critical to elect another strong conservative as Attorney General. I’ve spent my career locking up the worst of criminals, and I look forward to getting back into service.”
Coleman has been busy stacking up GOP endorsements ahead of the May primary. He has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Republican Attorneys General Association, and Kentucky Congressmen Andy Barr and Brett Guthrie.
His endorsements could shore up Coleman’s bonafides with the liberty wing of the GOP, and the huge amount of cash is being used as sharp elbows to prevent a primary opponent.
Coleman works at Frost, Brown, Todd in Louisville, and has deep connections to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, with who he previously served as general counsel. McConnell is openly supporting Coleman.
So far no other GOP candidate has emerged for this primary race. Democratic state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, and Baptist Minister is running for the Democratic nomination.
Stevenson plans to formally launch her campaign on Jan. 19.
